This Prehistoric Looking Bird-Like eVTOL Has Legs Instead of Landing Gears

This prehistoric looking bird-like eVTOL is the wildest project coming out of Africa and aims to upend the entire eVTOL industry with a radical design that has heads turning. Aptly named Phractyl Macrobat like a prehistoric bird, this proposed one-seater aircraft features an insectoid-like body with wings attached to twin propellers.

The wing was designed in such a way to generate lift at low speeds; however, little is known about the engineering behind the design as the concept is still patent-pending. What we do know is the aircraft will be all-electric with twin propellers that will allow the aircraft to take off and land vertically on any terrain.

It will be able to reach a max speed 110 mph with a 90 mile range and 330 pound lifting capacity and will be operated by an onboard pilot or a ground operator can fly it as a drone transporting passengers or cargo.

The legs of the aircraft is what sets it apart from other eVTOLs, it’s the first time that we have seen legs incorporated into an electric eVTOL design. The legs are jointed allowing them to fold in flight and unfold upon landing. The bases of the legs are made with tracks which may allow it to be moved on the ground but with substantial limitations.

This may change as the vehicle becomes more streamlined to real-world operations but then again the Phractyl Macrobat was designed to address Africa’s transportation challenges where lack of infrastructure require an aircraft with the ability to land and take off in areas that may not be accessible to conventional aircraft.